Meanderings through all that makes life in a small town in Provence worth while...

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Over, troubled waters

The images that surround us and swirl about our feet sink in whether we realize it or not.

Here in this new tiny village, there has been quite a bit of problems with the water supply. Imagine our surprise and utter dismay at the end of unpacking boxes to find that the gold at the end of the rainbow - in this case, the much anticipated shower on the path to cleanliness - has dissolved into a cloudy gray wash. Oh, dear. Their old pipes, tired after so many years of tapping deep into the water table. Our old pipes, worn thin by the rush.

The local water company is working on it with dramatic updates, bottles of Crystalline distributed daily for each resident and the fire hydrants left open all night so as to clear out the end of the bad.

Lately, I have had one thought in my head, recurring, "I need to let the silt sink to the bottom." This summer and heat have taken their toll on top of years punctuated with uncertainty. And yet, suddenly I find myself immersed in quiet and realize that I am beginning to see clearly. But not quite yet. I wander from room to room, forgetting the reason that had put me in motion, I am forgetful, often unable to concentrate my thoughts enough to write and yet am delighted to be...happy.

I am right where I want to be.

Like the underground thick and deep, the murky in me will quell and then it is on and upward we go.

EDIT: I try to be clear in my writing but this seems like it is another example of murkiness as the key word to me in this post is "happy". And I am, we are, supremely so. Being here is amazing. Things may not be perfect but as I write here often, that isn't really the point now, is it? With my Best from Provence, Heather

At the moment, Heather, my life is completely upside down, filled with uncertainty and much stress. All I can think of is that the Lord has let me walk right up to the edge of the cliff many times, but He has never let me fall. I believe this to be true once again, and that makes me feel so much safer. I will email you with some of the happenings.Much love to all....

Must be the Summer of Discontent for those of us who make up this blogosphere world. Like Marsha our path was also turned - if not upside down - as least off course when our daydream burst in Greece. It takes a bit of time to accept that all is not what one thought it would be. (And to top it off, a water pipe broke at our Kirkland home leaving us waterless-in-Seattle for a couple of days this week. . .I can appreciate your reference to showers!) Hang in there!

Ugh - water problems are a little unsettling, non? It makes me think of 2 instances, of very late, where water supplies were cut off near by - in Detroit and in Toledo - and it set off a panic! During the Toledo event, even stores here in Ann Arbor were out of bottled water - people drove up from Toledo to get it!! Hopefully your water supply is ultimately okay - and hopefully all of our murkiness will clear up. For me I think a vacation will help! And a big body of water to dive into: Lake Michigan! : )

Yaaaaay!!!! I am so happy thinking of you being up there with your Honey in what is truly one of the most utterly perfect places I have ever been to...I know you will enjoy...take a dip for me, Sister!

I wish you an abundance of textured experiences and happiness in your new Home...with the water situation not being among the wishingThe staircase looks like one of those where one can sit and dream.A cold wet wash cloth over the face, neck and ears can feel like a fresh shower.

So true and I once went a few weeks in Africa without having much more access than that so I will focus on the positive such as those amazing steps. The ones outside the front door are my favorite for sitting and dreaming, you will see them soon. Happy Sunday to you...

Heather - this is an amazing thing to move into the raw empty shell and know you will create your own paradise there!! My Mum used to say to me - it takes two years to 'make a house a home' and invariably this seems to be the case - but hey the trip on the way there is often - muddy, but like you say has another dimension that makes you happy - here's fingers crossed for you all the way!!

I love your Mum's saying and agree with it - although we are pretty fast workers! Actually, we have to force ourselves to sloooow doooown so as to not make decisions too quickly that we will later regret. Thanks for the good wishes!

Thank you for that reminder, silkandthreades. Heather, I'm so glad that you all are happy and wish you continuing good energy as you make your new home. I know what it feels like to be hot and sweaty after a long, hard day's work, only to learn that a refreshing shower is not going to be possible. I hope your clean water has returned by the time you read this. If not, is there a cool stream or river nearby? Best wishes, Leslie in hot Portland, Oregon

Yes, I need to follow Jeanne: Isn't that a wonderful thing to say: "I am right where I want to be". Espescially with your experiences and history. It makes me happy to read that.

Running water is elementary to us but everytime it is not provided we realize the luxury to have it.

Also I need to say how I enjoy the bright minimalism of those two photographs. The fine textures and geometries of such common objects. They emphasize the "existance of the absent" (...of everything not shown on the images. (; )

Dear H.,first thing to do for the future: to buy a tank for emergencies and to connect it with the water system of the house (not less than 1500 litres)add an auto pump (I hope this is the right word in English).Water supply are "normal" problems where I live (And I don't live in the desert!). In Summer we have water only at night (but not in the big cities) so everyone has a tank.We also have small tanks we use to fill the biggest one for more serious problems of local water supply. When it happens (and it happens...!) it is a very hard work ....Positive side:we learned not to waste water that is precious and essential to life. Most of the people on earth do not have enough water so I think I am lucky. Everything will be fine for you I am sure.A big hug

Yes, I think that they have worked out the rest of the problem! We actually have tons of water here - it is the filtering system that is the problem. But there are many people that live in the country that buy pumps (yes, the right word!) and tanks too.

I fully and completely got your happiness despite the water situation. It seemed to confirm your current capacity for it, despite the considerable inconvenience.

I always draw parallels between physical manifestations and inner realities. In your shoes, I would be in awe of the hydrants being allowed to run freely through the night in order to flush out all that is less than desirable. Amazing.

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About Me

Heather Robinson earned a MFA from Yale and was a professional actress in New York before moving to France where she collaborated with National Geographic photographer Rémi Bénali as a photographer/writer team covering tribes, traditions and World Heritage Sites in some of the world's most far-flung places. Heather has been a regular contributor to Grands Reportages magazine in France where her work has also been published in Figaro Magazine, Hotel & Lodge, Le Pèlerin and Le Monde des Religions. Her writing has also been seen in numerous magazines in Europe, Africa, Asia, South-East Asia and Russia. Her photography has been published in I-Heart magazine in France as well as Architectural Digest in the US. After 16 years of living in France, she is currently discovering what life in Provence is like on her own, always with an eye on beauty in all its forms as her inspiration.

Walk With Me

Discovering Arles was what the French call a "coup de coeur" or "love at first sight." I would be delighted to share with you its complex mesh of history, vitality and quality of life. I am currently offering a three hour walk through "Le Centre Historique" for small groups of up to six people. Please feel free to contact me at robinsonheather (at) yahoo.com for further details.